On Nov. 2, 2019, generations ranging in age from 8 to 80+ walked the Red Carpet and gathered for a sold-out private showing of the movie “Harriet” at The Bow Tie Cinemas Harbour 9 in Annapolis, Maryland. The event, which was attended by 108 persons, was sponsored by the collaboration of the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter’s (AAC) Arts and Letters and Social Action Committees and the United Methodist Women (UMW) of Cecil Memorial United Methodist Church (CMUMC). Through donations to the Red Carpet event, approximately 20 youth from EMBODI, Cecil Memorial United Methodist Church, and the Elite All-Stars Drum and Bugle Corps were able to attend the movie for free. At the event, Voter Registration/Engagement and 2020 Census information was shared with patrons as they signed in for the movie and materials were made available for review and distribution.

The movie Harriet is a must-see for every family. It is a history lesson that has not been taught to many generations of people, particularly African-American children. It is important for us to remember… if we forget the past we are doomed to repeat the past. Needless to say, all types of emotions were experienced while watching the movie. The audience expressed themselves with tears, cheers, clapping, and praises to God.

Prior to the start of the movie, the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter President asked the audience to pay close attention to information in the movie as there would be a discussion after the movie.

After the movie, the Chapter President Nas I. Afi facilitated a “Youth Talk Back,” in which the youth came forward and shared what they had learned watching the movie. Here are a few statements that were made by the youth: “Harriet Tubman guided 750 slaves to freedom,” “She trusted and believed in God,” “She let God guide her life,” “She traveled from 100 to 300 miles to get the slaves to freedom,” “God showed her the way to go,” “She didn’t let anybody tell her that she couldn’t do something,” “She was a strong person.”

One of the most profound statements came from a middle school student who stated that she learned, “All black people are not always for you.” President Afi added “as we saw in the movie and will experience in our own lives all white people are not always against us either.”

Participants witnessed from the movie that many white people were involved in the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape to freedom. President Afi then directed her remarks to the importance of voting in the upcoming 2020 election and why filling out the 2020 Census is so important for government funding. And that participating in these activities is an outgrowth of the human rights we have continued to fight for in our quest for freedom. A great time and experience was had by everyone in attendance. There were two door prize winners. Plans are in the making for the chapter to sponsor a bus trip to visit the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cambridge, Maryland, where all will continue to learn about the life and work of Harriet Tubman.

Submitted by Chawanna Carrington On Nov. 2, 2019, generations ranging in age from 8 to 80+ walked the Red Carpet and gathered for a sold-out private showing of the movie “Harriet” at The Bow Tie Cinemas Harbour 9 in Annapolis, Maryland. The event, which was attended by 108 persons, was sponsored by the collaboration of …